12  Whoever ^qbelittles his neighbor lacks sense,

but a man of understanding remains silent.

18  ^cThere is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings ^dhealing.

4  ^hA gentle¹ tongue is ⁱa tree of life,

but ^jperverseness in it breaks the spirit.

27  ^yA worthless man plots evil,

and his speech¹ is like ^za scorching fire.

23  The north wind brings forth rain,

and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

2  Like ^xa sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,

^ya curse that is causeless does not alight.